Surprising News

Dear Family & Friends,
    
Hey, I have to make this a little quick and I will explain in a second.  A week of really hard work went down here in Valiente.  We taught the most lessons with the most members present in the whole zone and maybe the whole mission - which is cool.  Elder Campbell and I have really gotten in the groove, but all good things have their ending.  We still have 2.5 weeks til transfer time, but President Antivillo just called us and told us that we have a "special" transfer.  So, Elder Campbell is leaving me here in Valiente and I am receiving some Mexican companion here, so that will be crazy.  They are coming in 2 hours to pick us up, so we have to go back so that Elder Campbell can pack ASAP.  We are kind of freaking out right now.  I guess I am the senior companion and in charge now . . . so we'll see how the area goes.
    
Besides that, it has been a pretty cool week.  I got Emily's package which was awesome!  She packed it full of goodies which was great!  And, we got to have our interviews with the President Antivillo which is always good.
    
Today, we got the whole zone together to play baseball (the DR's favorite sport) and that was super fun - but it made me realize that I am still way too competitive when it comes to playing sports and that is probably something I need to work on while I am out here.  I already feel like I have changed a lot so far, so it was a little weird to see that old part of me pop out again.  I wonder if you guys would see a big difference in me.  A lot of guys talk tons about what they're gonna do when they get home - and well - just kind of all the sins that they want to fall into again.  But I am out here to change myself and I think that if I don't come back different, then I wasn't doing all that I should have been doing.
    
So about being sick.  It was a blessing in disguise.  It made me completely put my trust in the Holy Ghost and my faith grew so much as a result.  The power of the priesthood seems a lot more real to me now.  I'm glad you felt that all the way over there Mom.  One of the tender mercies of the Lord, I assume.
    
So Ryan got glasses and there is a new Shrek movie?  Those are two pretty big surprises!  Wanna send me a picture of him with them on?  Does Danny still always wear contacts or does he still wear the glasses sometimes?  I was wearing my glasses a lot, but I got to this area, and it is way too hot here and the glasses get really uncomfortable - so I kind of stopped using them very much.
    
So that is way cool that Trevor got his call!  The four horsemen all got their calls to foreign mission which is cool.  You have to tell him "fellicidades" for me!  There is a Nicaraguan here.  He has a super cool accent and he is way good at soccer - so Trevor should practice up.  I'm pretty sure they don't play volleyball!  Also, Jake DeGracies call was a big change.  Looks like I will have a lot of friends to practice Spanish with when I get back - so that is cool!
    
Well, I have to go so I can help my companion pack, but I love you all!

Love, Elder McBride